TWO HUNDRED Aireborough patients are being given the chance to take part in a new project offering support through a cancer care review nurse.

The scheme has been set up at four GP practices following funding from Macmillan and could pave the way for a citywide scheme.

Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist Sharon Huntley has been appointed to provide clinical expertise for the 12 month project. She will be working with patients with cancer to identify a care plan to help them manage their condition.

The project is a partnership between NHS Leeds West Clinical Commissioning Group, Rawdon Surgery, Aire Valley Medical Group, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support. People affected by cancer have also provided input.

Patients taking part will be offered a one off consultation with Sharon. She will work with each patient to see what support they might need to manage their own health as well as advice on wider issues such as returning to work and financial issues. Regular reviews are available for patients who need further advice or support.

She said: "Regardless of what stage you are on the cancer journey there’s a general sense of shock and anxiety about what the future might hold. This can mean that some people feel vulnerable and fall out of a routine that helps them maintain a healthy lifestyle."

She added: "The review will look at more than just medical support and will link into community groups that could help patients. The cancer care review is designed to help people establish a sense of normality to their lives and to encourage self-care but patients will be to contact me if they feel they need to."

The GP practices taking part in the scheme are Menston and Guiseley Practice, Rawdon Surgery, Guiseley and Yeadon Medical Practice and Yeadon Tarn Medical Practice.

Patients who are on the Gold Standards Framework in Palliative Care, provided for those who have less than one year to live, will not be part of the scheme due to the existing support available to them. Patients under the age of 25 will also not be eligible for the scheme as they have ongoing support from the Teenage and Young Adults service based at the Leeds Cancer Centre.

The project is part of a study to see whether a cancer care review service could be developed at a citywide level. Visit www.macmillan.org.uk to find out more about the services and support offered by Macmillan.